blinding lights | lrh

1

Thinking back on the day everything happened, you'd think everything was going as it should've been. It seemed like there couldn't have been a more perfect day to experience with the person you loved. The sun was shining bright, accompanied by a cloudless sky. The birds flocked together as they soared high above the ground.

It was the first time Luke and Olivia had been on their own since they had begun dating seven months ago. He had gotten his license just the week before, and he promised her that the date was going to be magical. And for everything he could control, it was.

Before he headed to pick her up, he stopped by and got all of the essentials: a hat, sunglasses, sunblock, a towel, and his bathing suit. He knew she would bring the bag and water bottles, so he didn't bother packing them.

The drive to the beach was full of smiles and laughs as they sang along to the shitty music being blasted through the speakers. Holding her hand while his left hand steered them in every direction they needed to go; the pair was content in each other's company.

When they arrived, the sand called out to them as they made their way off of the boardwalk. A shady spot under a palm tree looked cosy enough for them to claim for the next few hours. The couple huddled together, deeply settled into the other's arms.

They ate lunch at a nearby restaurant with a view of the ocean. Seafood seemed fitting to the both of them at the time. And when the time came he, of course, paid for their meal entirely.

As the sky grew darker, the pair exchanged a kiss to the sight of the sunset.

A perfect ending to a perfect day.

The two packed into his mom's old car and began the drive home. Only it was a much less energetic drive, as the two sat in silence to enjoy the other's company. Blissful while it lasted.

Just as Luke rounded the corner that would lead them back to the Olivia's house, a blinding light took over the interior of the car. The sounds of breaking glass and screams of shock were blasted through their heads like a bullet. He looked over at her, reached for her seatbelt so she could get out of the car.

And that's all he can remember before he woke up in the hospital. Doctors said she died at the scene. The impact of the crash led her to hit her head against the dashboard and she bled out.

"At least she didn't feel any pain" they said as they explained it.

No, maybe she didn't.

But that didn't stop him from hurting any less.